Vol I July 99
Greetings Everyone, This is the first of newsletters that will be published on a monthly basis via e-mail. As Stan Joslin and I get closer to the posting of our Church web site, there will be a newsletter section that will further train, edify and update those associated with the deliverance ministry. The English site will be posted first and then in time we will be able to make it available in German & Spanish. Please pray as we move forward and take advantage of the technology available to us in this next generation. I believe our web site will greatly enhance our mission to take deliverance to the world.
UPDATES: For anyone who would like to attend we will be having our summer picnic in the park, Aug 8th, after our morning service. This will be a pot bless lunch and we ask that everyone bring a favorite dish, beverage or desert. It has been a long trying year for much of the ministry and a pause for fellowship is well needed. Directions to the park will be given at the morning church service or e-mail be for directions ( churchwccw@aol.com ).
In the next few weeks we will be moving our anger management class to Thursday Nights and returning to our regular evening service on Sundays. Also the women are looking forward to beginning their ladies Bible study again this fall. Please call for posted schedule change. At this time many have asked when the next workshop will be. I am currently considering the 1st part of December. This will coincide with our 10 year anniversary of WCCD. We would like to make it a special celebration with our friends that have had a part of making WCCD successful. Agin flyers will be mailed our as we finalize the date selection for the workshop.
MESSAGE FROM PASTOR: As I approached the writing of this letter, I felt the Lord would have me to share a short recap of what we covered in detail in one of our recent anger classes.
Uncontrolled anger has a very high cost to it. Especially physically. But even more important, it exacts a heavy toll on relationships. Compulsive anger is at the top of destruction of relationships, with God, others, and self. Anger could be arrested if we would learn to quickly apply 2 Cor 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.
In simple terms there are two categories of trigger thoughts that take people down the spiral of anger to destruction of relationships.
These two categories are called the "shoulds and the blamers." One will never get victory over compulsive anger (demonic or habit ), if the thought isn't first brought into subjection. When a persons thoughts are either, you should, or blame, it creates a distorted picture of reality that leaves you feeling victimized or controlled by others. Left with only thoughts of bitterness and anger, forgiveness seems to always be just out of reach.
Many times during the day we judge the behavior of others. These judgements are based upon our own set of rules of how we think others should or should not act. We wrongly assume that people know and accept our rules. When they violate or break them, we think their behavior was a deliberate act. Hence we take on the victim mentality that locks one into a deeper bondage. The problem with shoulds is that not everyone agrees with our rules or convictions. Their perception is colored by their own needs, feelings and history and they rarely agree with you. The more you try to convince them of their wrongness and what they "should do," the more indignant and defensive they become. When we try to demand people to obey according to our rules, we're violating reality. You'll rarely get others to agree with you that they are wrong.
While any kind of should thinking can trigger anger, entitlement is especially damaging to intimate relationships.
The entitlement fallacy is based on this simple belief: because I want something very much, I ought to have it. And someone else should get it or do it for me. God, spouse, children, etc. Entitlement is the opposite of contentment, and it always place us at odds with the person we feel should do something for us. Many Christians approach their relationship to God this way and consequently their relationship with him suffers greatly and can never develop into a close intimate one. Consider 1 Cor 13:3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. 4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
Let me point out that love seeks not its own. Are you caught in revolving thoughts of someone in your life owing you something? Entitlement thoughts are one of the greatest barriers to a loving relationship. Marriages never develop a spirit of oneness if each is harboring thoughts of entitlement. Let me explain. Entitlement confuses desire with obligation. It says, "when I want something you have no right to say no!" Strong feelings of entitlement deny others the freedom to choose. It demands that others give up their limits or boundaries. Demanding that your needs come first. Ignoring or not considering the scriptural teaching in 1st Cor 13 on how to love one another. Paul exhorted us in: Phil 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. & 1 Tim 6:8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
To combat thoughts of entitlement, consider that others needs are equally important, that each need can be legitimate and can be negotiated. Others simply do not owe you happiness. Personal responsibility of your own life, pains, etc is a necessary step to release you from the bondage of captivity thinking by trigger thoughts.
Are your relationships suffering because you feel that others "owe you something?" Do you spend your days blaming others for your pain or life situations? Or are your rules to small to allow people the freedom to be responsible for their own lives? Paul exhorts us to "be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Rom 12:2 KJV) Ask God to reveal to you where your thought life is leading you astray.
My prayer is that you will become skillful in casting down imaginations, take responsibility for your own pains and emotions, and put on charity. As Jesus said, they will know you by your love.
God bless, Pastor Monty
( For more information read "When Anger Hurts" by Matthew Mckay Published by Harbinger Publications 1-800-748-6273 ) Please feel free to reprint with credits given